Dartblog

A few days ago, Dartblog posted on the diminution in the number of college students studying subjects in the humanities, and the distinction between the number of incoming freshmen at the College anticipating study in each of the three academic divisions and the number of eventual graduates in these areas. In response, I received a thoughtful note from Bill Carney ‘75:

As for your post the other day, I think Admissions will say they pay no attention to applicants’ academic preferences. Many applicants, especially boys, select sciences. That’s what they know and what they are good at. When they get to college, nearly half realize that: 1) they are not so good,; 2) they don’t want to do all the work; or 3) there are more interesting fields of study. (I changed from chemistry to philosophy based on all of the above. Then I got an MBA.) This consistent drop-off in sciences dwarfs any of the other changes in trends.

This isn’t to say that there isn’t a shift away from the humanities and toward the social sciences. I’m just saying that Admissions doesn’t manage it.

High school kids are becoming more focused on careers and income. Everyone wants to manage a hedge fund. Why bother with being a general practitioner making only $300K per year, let alone a teacher. It’s sad, but people want a return on their tuition investment. (My older son got a masters in electrical engineering. The younger one chose business. I don’t think either took a humanities course that wasn’t required, despite my efforts to the contrary.)

Good luck.

Bill Carney

Note: Bill Carney ‘75 was a District Enrollment Director for approximately twelve years, for which he won the Karl Furstenberg Award several years ago, and he was an Alumni Councillor.